Staff Directory - Professor Karl Behrendt

Research Focus

My research focuses on the economics of innovative agricultural technology and digitalisation through the application of interdisciplinary systems based approaches to inform decision making at multiple levels. This is being achieved by working with industry, government and other research institutions to provide economic intelligence and agri-tech solutions for UK and global agriculture and value chains. The objectives of my research are to develop approaches that link economics and science to provide greater insights into how agricultural systems work and how they can be manipulated to achieve the objectives of stakeholders and society. This includes the analysis of the impact of innovative technology, climate change and management on economic, environmental and social outcomes.

Currently I am undertaking research into the economics of smart dairy and extensive livestock systems; the economics of autonomised robotic cropping systems; bioeconomic modelling of livestock systems and their externalities; and payments for ecosystems services. In Mongolia and China we are also working to help identify better policies for increasing herder livelihoods, grassland productivity and to reduce the incidence of dust storms across Asia. Recently completed research includes the cost of compliance of exporters to the EU; the impact of technology, water policy, market instruments and climate change on irrigated and dryland mixed farming businesses in both the rice and cotton industries; identifying best management practice for the management of perennial and annual weeds in mixed farming and grazing systems; and the economic analysis of RD&KT investment in agriculture.

Research Interests

Economics of adopting innovative technology and digitalisation in farming and value chains
Precision Livestock Farming technologies and their application in the value chain
Impact of technology on agricultural and environmental systems management and policies
Bioeconomic modelling of agricultural and ecological systems
Development of predictive and prescriptive decision support systems for agriculture and value chains
Agricultural risk and investment analysis
Agribusiness planning

Postgraduate Supervision

Currently co-supervised postgraduate students:

Abdullah Al-Amin (HAU PhD, Elizabeth Creak Fellow: An economic assessment of autonomous equipment for field crops);
Pamela Theofanous (HAU: PhD: Price Linkages in major EU Olive Oil Markets);
Joe Collins (HAU PhD: A systems-level evaluation of conservation agriculture within the UK, Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership BBSRC Funded);
Gustavo Martigone (HAU PhD: An examination of the Asymmetric Price Transmission in Soybean-A case study in the world market);
Martin Amidy (ANU PhD: Grazing systems and whole farm financial performance).

Professional Memberships

Academic Department: Food, Land and Agribusiness Management

Tel: +44 (0) 1952 815 303

Twitter: @AgriTechEcon

Office: AC20 Aspire Centre

Research profile: ORCID

Research profile: ResearcherID.com

Publications

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Other publications

Kemp, D., Ping, Li., Addison, J., Behrendt, K., Zhongwu, W., Guodong, H., Mengli, Z., Bombosuren, U., Xiangyang, H. (2020) Grassland environmental services Common Grasslands in Asia: a comparative analysis of Chinese and Mongolian Grasslands 4 (Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham UK. pp. 78-95 (ISBN: 978 1 78897 404 2))
Brown, C, Bennett J, Qiao G, Lkhagvadorj D, Addison J, Gombosuren U, Kemp D, Han G, Behrendt K, Li P. (2020) Strengthening Policy Incentives In C. Brown (Ed) Common Grasslands in Asia: a comparative analysis of Chinese and Mongolian Grasslands 8 (Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham UK. pp 165-174 (ISBN: 978 1 78897 404 2))
Brown, C, Qiao G, Lkhagvadorj D, Addison J, Kemp D, Han G, Gombosuren U, Behrendt K, Bennett J, Li P. (2020) Introduction In C. Brown (Ed) Common Grasslands in Asia: a comparative analysis of Chinese and Mongolian Grasslands 1 (Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham UK. pp 1-11 (ISBN: 978 1 78897 404 2))
Liu, H, Behrendt, K, Wu J, Du W (2020) Modelling the sustainability of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau grasslands In 'Sustainable Chinese Grasslands.' Ed. D Kemp. Monograph 210 (Chapter 7 pp. 125-152. (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: Canberra) ISSN 1031–8194 (print) ISSN 1447–090X (online) ISBN 978-1-922345-21-9 (print) ISBN 978-1-922345-20-2 (online))
Behrendt, K, Liu, H, Kemp, DR, Takahashi, T (2020) Sustainability modelling of grassland systems In 'Sustainable Chinese Grasslands.' Ed. D Kemp. Monograph 210 (Chapter 6 pp. 97-124. (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: Canberra) ISSN 1031–8194 (print) ISSN 1447–090X (online) ISBN 978-1-922345-21-9 (print) ISBN 978-1-922345-20-2 (online))
Kemp, D, Wu, JP, Gong, XF, Li, P, Han, G, Zhao, M, Behrendt, K, Waldron, S (2020) Chinese livestock numbers and grassland impact In 'Sustainable Chinese Grasslands.' Ed. D Kemp. Monograph 210 (Chapter 2 pp. 17-38. (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: Canberra, Australia) ISSN 1031–8194 (print) ISSN 1447–090X (online) ISBN 978-1-922345-21-9 (print) ISBN 978-1-922345-20-2 (online))
Badgery W, Kemp DR, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Han G, Sun Y, Hou F, Michalk DL, Behrendt K (2020) Devising sustainable grasslands grazing management practices for the future of Chinese grasslands In 'Sustainable Chinese Grasslands.' Ed. D Kemp. Monograph 210 (Chapter 10 pp. 191-210 (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: Canberra) ISSN 1031–8194 (print) ISSN 1447–090X (online) ISBN 978-1-922345-21-9 (print) ISBN 978-1-922345-20-2 (online))
Kemp D, Behrendt K, Han G, Hou F, Hou X, Wu J, Zhang Y (2020) Future-proof sustainable Chinese grasslands In 'Sustainable Chinese Grasslands.' Ed. D Kemp. Monograph 210 (Chapter 12 pp. 251-263. (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: Canberra) ISSN 1031–8194 (print) ISSN 1447–090X (online) ISBN 978-1-922345-21-9 (print) ISBN 978-1-922345-20-2 (online))
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2019) How are global and Australian sheepmeat producers performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2018 MLA Market Information Report (Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney. 17 pages.)
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2019) How are global and Australian beef producers performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2018 MLA Market Information Report (Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney. 22 pages.)
Lowenberg-DeBoer, J.; Behrendt, K.; Godwin, R.; Franklin, K. (2019) The Impact of Swarm Robotics on Arable Farm Size and Structure in the UK Contributed Paper prepared for presentation at the 93rd Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society (University of Warwick, England. April 15-17, 2019 )
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2019) How are global and Australian beef feedlots performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2018 MLA Market Information Report (Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney, 12 pages)
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2018) How are global and Australian sheepmeat producers performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2017 MLA Market Information Report, Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2018) How are global and Australian beef producers performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2017 MLA Market Information Report, Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2017) How are global and Australian sheep meat producers performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2016 MLA Market Information Report, Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2017) How are global and Australian beef producers performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2016 MLA Market Information Report, Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney
Herbert, K.; Wu, H.; Bowden, P.; Behrendt, K.; Higgins, V. (2016) A national program to improve awareness and adoption of best management practice for silverleaf nightshade control Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Weeds Conference, In R. Randall, S. Lloyd and C. Borger (eds)
Higgins, V.G.J.; Herbert, K.S.; Bowden, P.I.; Wu, H.; Behrendt, K. (2016) Social factors influencing landholder management of silverleaf nightshade Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Weeds Conference, In R. Randall, S. Lloyd and C. Borger (eds)
Behrendt, K.; Deblitz, C.; Schutz, W.; Li, Z.; Ribero, G.G. (2016) Can rangeland livestock systems compete in a global market? Evidence from the past and present The Future Management of Grazing and Wild Lands in a High-Tech World: Proceedings 10th International Rangeland Congress, In: A. Iwaasa, H.A. Lardner, W. Willms, M. Schellenberg & K. Larson (eds),
Behrendt, K. (2016) How are global and Australian beef and sheep meat producers performing? Global agri benchmark network results 2015 Red Meat Market Report, Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney
Takahashi, T.; Li, Z.; Wang, Z.; Han, G.; Behrendt, K.; Kemp, D. (2015) Quantifying the economic value of evidence-based animal selection on the Inner Mongolian desert steppe In: A.K. Roy (ed), Proceedings of the 23nd International Grasslands Congress
Behrendt, K. (2015) The value of modelling botanical composition change in grasslands Proceedings of the 23nd International Grasslands Congress, 20-24 November, New Delhi
Takahashi, T.; Behrendt, K.; Kemp, D. (2015) An R package to compute the energy balance for ruminants under both grazing and pen-fed conditions In: A.K. Roy (ed), Proceedings of the 23nd International Grasslands Congress, 20-24 November, New Delhi
Behrendt, K.; Malcolm, B.; Jackson, T. (2014) Beef Business Management In D.J. Cottle, L. Kahn (Eds.), Beef Cattle Production and Trade. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne
Behrendt, K.; Weeks, P. (2014) How are global and Australian beef and sheepmeat producers performing? Red Meat Market Report, Commissioned by Meat & Livestock Australia
Collins, A.; Fitzsummons, P.; Behrendt, K.; Camac, M.; McCormick, L.; Latta, R.; John, C.; Sheehan, M.; Prance, T.; Humphries, A.; Hooke, T.; McEachern, S.; Jolly, S.; Dickson, H.; Shands, C.; James, R.; Evans, N. (2013) Winning against seeds: Management tools for your sheep enterprise Meat & Livestock Australia
Behrendt, K.; Scott, J. M.; Mackay, D. F.; Murison, R. (2013) Comparing the climate experienced during the Cicerone farmlet experiment against the climatic record Animal Production Science 53(8)
Behrendt, K.; Cacho, O.; Scott, J.M.; Jones, R. (2013) Optimising pasture and grazing management decisions on the Cicerone Project farmlets over variable time horizons Animal Production Science 53(8)
Behrendt, K.; Scott, J.M.; Cacho, O.; Jones, R. (2013) Simulating the impact of fertiliser strategies and prices on the economics of developing and managing the Cicerone Project farmlets under climatic uncertainty Animal Production Science 53(8)
Scott J.M.; Behrendt K.; Colvin A.; Scott F.; Shakhane L.M.; Guppy C.; Hoad J.; Gaden C.A.; Edwards C.; Hinch G.N.; Cacho O.J.; Donald G.E.; Cottle D.; Coventry T.; Williams G.; Mackay D.F. (2013) Integrated overview of results from a farmlet experiment which compared the effects of pasture inputs and grazing management on profitability and sustainability Animal Production Science 53(8)
Behrendt, K. (2013) Optimising management to achieve sustainable economic yields from grasslands In: D. Michalk; G. Millar, W. Badgery and K. Broadfoot (eds), Proceedings of the 22nd International Grasslands Congress, 15-19 September, Sydney
Badgery, W.B.; Cranney, P.; Millar, G.; Mitchell, D.; Behrendt, K. (2012) Intensive rotational grazing can improve profitability and environmental outcomes In: C. Harris; G. Lodge and C. Waters (eds), Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference of the Grassland Society of NSW Inc.
Guisard, Y.; Hunter, C.; Behrendt, K.; Acheson, R.; Bone, Z.; Mills, P.; Telfser, S.; Wheatley, W. (2012) Seeking new horizons for student transition: an integrated course approach In Mortimer, R. (Ed.), Proceedings of the 15th International First Year in Higher Education Conference
Godfrey, S.S.; Aslam, N.; Nordblom, T.; Warriach, H.M.; Ishaq, M.; Wynn, P.C.; Ramsay, G.; Behrendt, K. (2012) Marketing milk from small-holder dairy farmers in Pakistan In S. Koonawootrittriron, T. Suwanasopee, T. Jaichansukkit, D. Jattawa, K. Boonyanuwat, and P. Skunmun (eds.), Proceedings of the 15th AAAP Animal Science Congress, 26-30 November, Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies
Guisard, Y.; Behrendt K.; Mills, P.; Telfser, S.; Wheatley, W.; Hunter, C.; Acheson, R.; Bone, Z. (2012) A Course Approach to Student Transition to University: A Case Study in Agricultural Business Management Creative Education 3
Behrendt, K.; Eppleston, J. (2011) Threats, realities and opportunities of grassland farming in the Central Tablelands In: G. Lodge; J.M. Scott and W. Wheatley (eds), Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference of the Grassland Society of NSW Inc., 27-28 July, The Grassland Society of NSW Inc.
Hunter, C., Guisard, Y., Behrendt, K., Bone, Z., Cochrane, K., Culas, R., Mills, P., Telfser, S., Wheatley, W. (2011) Developing professional identity In S. Sutherland, J. Brotchie & S. Chesney (Eds.), Pebblegogy – ideas and activities to inspire and engage learners. Pebble Learning Ltd

Additional Information

Director of the Global Institute for Agri-Tech Economics
National Centre for Precision Farming member
Adjunct Research Professor, Charles Sturt University, Australia
Research Centre Member, Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (an alliance between CSU & NSW Department of Primary Industries), Australia
Research & Innovation Group, Agricultural Productivity Task Force, The Food and Drink Sector Council

Recently completed research projects

AgriBenchmark 2016-18 project: Beef and Sheep networks (2016-2018). Behrendt, K. Collaborators: Meat & Livestock Australia, Graham Centre, International agri benchmark network, private consultants/extension personnel. Funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (D.IIS.1610).
Sustainable Livestock Grazing Systems on Chinese Temperate Grasslands (2012-2017). Kemp, D.; Badgery, W.; Behrendt, K.; Michalk, D.; Takahashi, T. Collaborators: China Agricultural University; Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Gansu Agricultural University; Gansu Grassland Ecological Research Institute, Lanzhou University; Inner Mongolia Agricultural University; Institute for Grassland Research, Chinese Academy Agricultural Science. Funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR LPS/2008/048)
Improving adoption of management strategies for summer perennial weeds through effective engagement processes (2015-2017). Wu, H. (NSW DPI), Herbert, K.; Behrendt, K.; Bowden, P.; Higgins, V. Funded by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited.
Climate change adaptation in southern NSW-lower rainfall agriculture: A biophysical and economic assessment of farm performance at three irrigated Murray Valley mixed farm sites, under a projected climate and irrigation allocation scenario, factoring in water market instruments (2017). Behrendt, K. in collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries Cashen, M.; Broadfoot, K.; Clark, A.; Graham, P. Funded by Murray LLS.
Development of FarmEcon analysis module for economic assessment of mixed farm biophysical simulations (2015-2017). Behrendt, K. in collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries Cashen, M.; Broadfoot, K.; Clark, A.; Graham, P. Funded by Murray LLS.
Developing a mixed farming system R,D&A program (2016-2018). Friend, M.A.; Robertson, S.M.; McGrath, S.R.; Behrendt, K. Collaborators: CSIRO; DEDJT&R (Vic); Nicon Rural Services; NSW Department of Primary Industries; DAFWA (WA). Funded by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited.
Determining the value of ground cover to limit serrated tussock invasion (2014-2016). Behrendt, K. in collaboration with Badgery, W.B.; Millar, G.; Simmons, A.; Simpson, M. Funded by NSW Weeds Action Program.
AgriBenchmark: Australian beef and sheep agri benchmark network (2013, 2014 & 2015). Behrendt, K. Funded by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited
Assessing Farmers' Costs of Compliance with EU Legislation in the Fields of Environment, Animal Welfare and Food Safety (2012-2013). Behrendt, K.; Davies, L. in collaboration with Centro Ricerche Produzioni Animali SpA (PI); agri benchmark. Funded by EU Commission.

Earlier publications

Mason, J.; Behrendt, K. (2009) Producers dealing with problem pasture species that cause seed contamination and production losses in lamb production systems, In: D. Brouwer; N. Griffiths and I. Blackwood (eds), Proceedings of the 24th Annual Conference of the Grassland Society of NSW Inc., 5-6 August, The Grassland Society of NSW Inc., pp. 94-96.
Mason, J.; Behrendt, K.; Toohey, E.; White, A. (2008) Using Bioclip™ to manage the impact of grass seed contamination on lamb production, In: S. Hatcher and J.S. Richards (eds) NSW DPI Sheep & Beef Conference 2008 – Coping with a changing environment: environmental, technological, social and economic, 2-4 September, Orange Agricultural Institute. NSW Department of Primary Industries, pp. 237-238.
Behrendt, K.; Cacho, O.; Scott, J.M.; Jones, R. (2006) Methodology for assessing optimal rates of pasture improvement in the high rainfall temperate pasture zone, Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46(6 & 7), 845-849.
Behrendt, K.; Cacho, O.; Scott, J.; Jones, R. (2006) Pasture improvement: Optimal strategies for the New England, In: P.B. Cronje and D. Maxwell (eds) Wool meets Meat – Tools for a modern sheep enterprise. Proceedings of the 2006 Australian Sheep Industry CRC conference, Orange, Australia, pp256-257.
Behrendt, K.; Cacho, O.; Scott, J.M. (2006) Optimisation of Pasture Improvement, In 'The Cicerone Farms: Coming to Conclusions, Proceedings of 2006 Symposium'. Armidale, NSW. (Ed. JM Scott) pp. 39-41. (The Cicerone Project Inc. and The Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, University of New England).
Behrendt, K. (2005) Pasture productivity and persistence: Optimal strategies for different livestock production systems. In 'The Cicerone Farms: Under the microscope, Proceedings of 2005 Symposium'. Armidale, NSW. (Ed. JM Scott) pp. 48-51. (The Cicerone Project Inc. and The Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, University of New England).
Behrendt, K. (2005) Grazing management and pasture innovations: what’s best for your farming system?, In: H. Lloyd Davies (eds) Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference of the Grasslands Society of NSW Inc., Orange pp 69-73.
Behrendt, K.; Stefanski, A.; Salmon, E.M. (2000) Fine tuning the time of lambing in spring: is it profitable?, In: W. McDonald 9 (eds) Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference Grassland Society of NSW Inc., Armidale, pp. 127-129.
Davies, L; Behrendt, K. (1995) Economics of using silage and hay for increasing beef turn off weights, In: AA. Charry and M. McKerchar (eds) ‘Keys to farm business success’, Proceedings of the 21st Australian Farm Management Society Conference. Orange, NSW.

Books, chapters & other publications

Friend, M.; Nicholson, C.; Behrendt, K. (2018) Investment Plan. L.LSM.006 Final Report Appendix 3. Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, North Sydney. 100 pages.
Cashen, M.; Broadfoot, K.; Behrendt, K.; Graham, P.; Clark, A. (2017) Climate change adaptation in Southern NSW low rainfall zone –irrigation component addition. Final Report MY00894. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Commissioned by Murray Local Land Services (National Landcare Program). 101 pages.
Proceedings of the 30^th Conference of the Grassland Society of NSW Inc. (2017) Eds K Behrendt, H Burns, B Hackney, D Harbison (Grassland Society of NSW Inc., Orange). 112 pages. (ISBN 978-0-9943749-2-9)
Cashen, M.; Broadfoot, K.; Behrendt, K.; Graham, P.; Clark, A. (2016) Climate change adaptation in Southern NSW lower rainfall agriculture. Final Report MY00108. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Commissioned by Murray Local Land Services (National Landcare Program). 83 pages.
Millar, G.; Simmons, A.; Behrendt, K.; Simpson, M.; Badgery, W.B. (2016) Determining the value of pasture to limit serrated tussock invasion. Final Report. NSW Department of Primary Industries. Commissioned by NSW Weeds Action Program. 100 pages.
Guisard, Y., Hyde, S., Mills, P., Hicks, K., Love, C., Behrendt, K., Parissi, C. (2016) Online problem-based learning as a strategy to enhance learner-learner engagement in distance education. u!magine Distance Education Innovation Grant Scheme 2015-2016 Final Report.
Behrendt, K.; Davies, L.; Anderton, L. (2015) AgriBenchmark 2015. Meat & Livestock Australia, North Sydney. 62 pages.
Godfrey, S.S.; Behrendt, K.; Ramsay, G.; Wynn, P.C.; Nordblom, T. (2013) Identifying producer, middlemen, retailer and consumer issues from a pro-poor value chain perspective: A dairy case study from Punjab of Pakistan. Proceedings of the 57^th Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference, Sydney. Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, 5-8 February.
Godfrey, S.; Behrendt, K.; Nordblom, T.; Wynn, P. (2012) Dairy enterprise and whole farm performance in mixed farming systems: Punjab, Pakistan, Proceedings of the 56^th Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference, Freemantle. Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, 7-10 February, 18 pages.
Behrendt, K.; Cacho, O.; Scott, J.M.; Jones, R. (2009) Bioeconomic analysis of fertiliser input costs on pasture resource management under climatic uncertainty, Proceedings of the 53^rd Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference, Cairns. Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, 27 pages.